New York State Police arrested a 43-year-old Bronx man on felony drug and DWI charges after finding him asleep in a vehicle on the New York State Thruway in Mamaroneck on June 21, 2026.
Troopers spotted the vehicle parked on the right shoulder of I-95 northbound around 7:15 p.m., with the driver asleep behind the wheel. During a welfare check, officers conducted field sobriety tests that indicated intoxication, according to state police.
Miguel Perez Mendez was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. An inventory search of the vehicle turned up approximately 436.8 grams of cocaine, troopers said.
Perez Mendez was taken to State Police New Rochelle for processing, where he refused to provide a breath sample. An additional 0.3 grams of cocaine was discovered during processing.
He faces charges of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession with intent to sell, and seventh-degree criminal possession, along with DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation.
Perez Mendez was arraigned in Mamaroneck Village Court and released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.
Originally reported by Newport Dispatch.
Photo: Zooey Li via Unsplash. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
Log in as a subscriber to comment, or become a member.